It’s been a while since the Parisian, the founder of the Pigalle brand, Stéphane Ashpool and Nike have been working together and celebrating the cultural impact of basketball. The collaboration created a series of clothing and footwear collections and also focused on supporting the construction of community spaces that serve as a safe haven and 'shelter' for those passionate about the sport. One of these facilities was the well-known basketball court on Rue Duperré, in Paris, a very special place for Ashpool, the space was both a stomping ground in his childhood, in addition to being where he taught basketball to children for some years. In 2009, with the help of Nike and in partnership with the III-Studio, the court was renovated for the first time with the idea of transforming it into a lively place and also an area for events and activations of the brand itself, as well as to celebrate the arrival of the official Pigalle store. The work of Russian artist Kasimir Malevich called “Sportsmen”, served as an inspiration for III-Studio in the process of conceiving and designing the court.
In 2017, the court undergoes a reformulation made to present the collection created in partnership between NikeLab and Pigalle. The narrow space located between the two buildings, was covered by accentuated and well contrasted gradients, the same ones used in the collection. The result? The colors of violet, yellow, blue and fluorescent pink brought an air from the 90s to the tourist spot in Paris, inspired by the aesthetics of the uniforms of the time. This ambiance not only made the court a hub that attracts local players, but an international reference for other sports enthusiasts and lovers.
Taking advantage of the launch of the 2019 Converse 70 collection, Pigalle and Nike teamed up again in yet another venture involving basketball, this time in Beijing, China. With a design concept similar to that of the already famous court in Paris, the Chinese version built from 45,000 pairs of recycled sneakers and with Nike Grind material to prevent injuries, brings bright and more sober colors. The 600 square meter space is located in a safe place strategically designed for the use and safety of all, but mainly that of female athletes and residents.
Mexico City was not left out and also got a community space for the practice of basketball. The new court created by Stéphane Ashpool, Nike and III-Studio, follows the same color pattern as its 'French original conception', with shades of blue, yellow and pink that contrast with the grayish concrete surrounding it. The court that is located outside the Gymnasium Juan de la Barrera, south side of the Mexican capital, will be open to the public 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. Nike and Pigalle continue to focus on their basketball project with the opening of another court in Houston, this time in collaboration with rapper Travis Scott.
